Prevalence of Candidemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano-Nigeria

Abstract

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study presents insights into the burden of candidemia among pregnant women by phenotypically identifying Candida species from blood samples and establishing a significant link between trimester and infection rates. The research reveals a 10.4% overall prevalence, with Candida albicans being the most prevalent species, and highlights the highest infection rate occurring in the third trimester, statistically confirmed by a chi-square test (p = 0.00001). These findings underscore the necessity for routine screening of candidemia in pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, to manage and mitigate potential complications effectively. Full Abstract As opportunistic pathogens, Candida species initiate infection from any susceptible part of the body. Common diseases caused by these species include oral thrush, oropharyngeal Candidiasis, and vulvovaginal Candidiasis (especially during pregnancy). The pathogens disseminate from particular sources to the bloodstream, causing candidemia. The study aimed to determine the burden of candidemia among pregnant women in the study area by collecting 269 blood samples and analyzing them through Gram staining, germ tube tests, and culture-based techniques to phenotypically identify the different Candida species. The results showed an overall prevalence of 10.4%. Candida albicans was the most isolated species (46.43% prevalence), followed by C. krusei (25.0%), C. glabrata (21.43%), and Candida tropicalis (7.14%). Of the participants recruited, 32.0% were in the first trimester, 29.0% were in the second trimester, and 39.0% were found to be in their third trimester. Infections in the third trimester were higher than in the first and second trimesters (50% and 25%, respectively), and statistically, the trimester is linked to the infection when compared using the chi-square test (p = 0.00001). The prevalence of candidemia, based on age range, showed that those between the age group of 20-29 years had a higher number of positive cases (54.0%), while the age bracket less than 20 (<20) years of age had the least 14.0%). Therefore, It can be concluded that candidemia in pregnancy is a common feature, with a significant proportion found in the third trimester as in the study area. Based on the findings, screening for candidemia in pregnancy is recommended to better manage possible cases and reduce the chances of complications.